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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Just wasn't for me. (I dislike relationships that start with lying.)
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My only exposure to the plot of Treasure Island is from The Muppets. So while I was disappointed there were no singing rats, this was a highly enjoyable book.
Pace was I'd describe the beginning as medium, the middle as slow, and the ending as fast - that last quarter of the book RAN. but that pace seems to be on par with what I'm told about Treasure Island.
Loved the re-imagined story and what was really a beautiful tale of love and true treasure.
Pace was I'd describe the beginning as medium, the middle as slow, and the ending as fast - that last quarter of the book RAN. but that pace seems to be on par with what I'm told about Treasure Island.
Loved the re-imagined story and what was really a beautiful tale of love and true treasure.
First off, I think the idea of remixed classics is really interesting. Telling the story of Treasure Island through a new lens, that has some grounding in actual East Asian history, was so much fun! I loved all the characters, even the baddies, and the story was great, with some nice twists and turns and even some tears. The relationship between Xiang and Anh, two fierce badass girls who long for adventure and go after it despite the risks, was fabulous.
This is a YA book, so if you're looking for sapphic romance you'll find it without the steam, but this book is ultimately about the adventure. It did start off a little slowly, but I think that was necessary to develop the characters and relationships, and it really shines in the last third or so.
This is a YA book, so if you're looking for sapphic romance you'll find it without the steam, but this book is ultimately about the adventure. It did start off a little slowly, but I think that was necessary to develop the characters and relationships, and it really shines in the last third or so.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Today I am delighted to share what has been my favorite read of this year – as well as the sapphic pirate adventure of my dreams!
A CLASH OF STEEL spoke directly to the part of me that is perpetually restless and wandering. Our main character, Xiang, wants so desperately to escape her village and to see the world, “see the places in my stories, distant coasts and faraway lands” (26).
How this story and these words sung to (read: pained) the yearning in my soul, that “in another lifetime I must’ve seen the world, slaked this thirst for more, and I can’t help but think this is a lonely compromise, to settle for a life I do not want” (47).
The relationship between Xiang and Anh is such a sweet depiction of first love. I really enjoyed their friendship and Xiang’s moments of self-reflection and queer awakening.
It is so immensely refreshing to read a pirate story starring women as the major players, where mothers are pirates and captains and merchants. And – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – pirate ships were SO gay!! How delightful it was to read a piratey adventure starring queer Asian girls.
Lee has done a truly fantastic job of capturing the very essence of the piratey tales that we love so dearly – and then making it something more. And the writing? Magical, whimsical, a true joy to read. It was hard for me to get into the book I read after this one because the line-by-line reading experience simply didn’t compare!
A CLASH OF STEEL is another excellent installment in the Remixed Classics collection! I haven’t read TREASURE ISLAND and that didn’t affect my enjoyment of this story. You like Pirates of the Caribbean? You’ll like this book.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes